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Abstract:

An elongated flexible base strip is constructed with a bottom surface
coated with an adhesive material. The base strip is constructed with
bridging links which are spaced along the inner edge of the base strip
and extend outward therefrom. The base strip, is cut to a first length
and aligned with the wound with the bridging links extending over the
wound. A matching portion of base strip is cut to a second length and
aligned with the wound with the bridging links opposing. The opposing
links are drawn together to close the wound. Adhesive on the links holds
the links to the opposite base strip.

Claims:

1-49. (canceled)

50. A device for closing a wound, the device comprising:an elongated base
strip having a top side, a bottom side, and a longitudinal axis;a
plurality of bridging links, each extending from said base strip via
respective flexible areas outwards with respect to said longitudinal
axis, each of said flexible areas having a predetermined width;at least
one space between successive flexible areas being wider than the
predetermined width of at least one of said flexible areas;an adhesive
substantially covering an area of said bottom side of said base
strip;said flexible areas being substantially free from adhesive;
andbridging links having an adhesive on at least one side thereof with
tips thereof being substantially free from adhesive on both sides.

51. The device of claim 50 further comprising a first removable protective
layer covering said bottom side of said base strip, said first protective
layer being of a size greater than the size of said bottom side.

52. The device of claim 51 further comprising a second removable
protective layer covering said adhesive of the bridging links, said
second protective layer being of a size greater than the adhesive covered
area of said bridging links.

53. The device of claim 52 in which said first protective layer and said
second protective layer are substantially translucent.

54. The device of claim 52 in which said first protective layer and said
second protective layer are substantially transparent.

55. The device of claim 53 in which said first protective layer and said
second protective layer have visible markings which guide the user in
operating the device.

56. The device of claim 54 in which said bridging links are folded back
and over the top side of said base strip.

57. The device of claim 56 further comprising an adhesive on a portion of
the top side of said base strip for releasably securing said bridging
links in said folded back position.

58. The device of claim 57 further comprising an adhesive substantially
covering a surface of said top side of said base strip.

59. The device of claim 51 in which said first protective layer comprises
a first portion which covers an area of the bottom side of said base
strip adjacent to each said respective flexible areas, and a second
portion which covers an area of the bottom side not covered by the first
portion; and in which the area covered by said first portion can be
uncovered independently from another area.

60. A device for closing a wound comprising:an elongated base strip having
top and bottom surfaces, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said bottom
surface is coated with adhesive;a plurality of bridging links constructed
on said base strip on an operating edge thereof, and having upper and
lower surfaces, said lower surface of said bridging links having adhesive
applied to an outer region thereof, each of said bridging links
extending, via respective adhesive free, flexible areas, outwards with
respect to said longitudinal axis;an operational unit separated from said
base strip for application to the wound, said operational unit having a
length consistent with the wound and having at least one bridging link
extending from the operating edge thereof, andwherein said at least one
bridging link of said operational unit extends over the wound for
attachment across the wound, when the operational unit is applied to the
wound.

61. A device for closing an open wound, the device comprising:base means
for applying onto a surface, said base means having a top side, a bottom
side, a longitudinal axis, and being of sufficient flexibility as to
allow applying said base means onto skin adjacent to the wound and
substantially parallel to an edge of the opening of the wound;a plurality
of bridging means for applying onto a surface and onto said top side of
said base means, said bridging means extending from said base means
outwards with respect to said longitudinal axis, and having an adhering
portion and non-adhering tips;flexible means for permitting folding said
bridging means back and over the top side of said base means during
non-use and for unfolding said bridging means for use, said flexible
means linking said bridging means to said base means, said flexible means
having a predetermined width, said flexible means being substantially
free from adhesive in order to permit the flexible means to lie across
the opening of the wound;at least one space between successive flexible
means being wider than the predetermined width of at least one of said
flexible means;adhesive substantially covering an area of said bottom
side of said base means; andmeans for releaseably adhering said bridging
means to a surface and to said top side of said base means.

62. The device of claim 61 further comprising first protective means for
covering said bottom side of said base means, said first protective means
being removable and allowing a controlled application of said base means
onto a surface adjacent to a wound and substantially parallel to an edge
of the opening of the wound.

63. The device of claim 62 further comprising second protective means for
covering said adhesive of said bridging links, said second protective
means being removable and allowing a controlled application of said
bridging links onto a surface and onto the top side of a base means
across the opening of the wound.

64. The device of claim 63 in which said first protective means and said
second protective means are substantially translucent.

65. The device of claim 63 in which said first protective means and said
second protective means are substantially transparent.

66. The device of claim 64 in which said first protective means and said
second protective means further comprise visible means for guiding the
user in operating the device.

67. A method for closing an open wound using a device comprised of a base
having adhesive thereon, a plurality of bridging links having adhesive on
a portion thereof, and adhesive-free flexible means for linking the
bridging links to the base, the method comprising:selecting a
predetermined length of the base of the device having a set of bridging
links;applying said predetermined length of said base of the device onto
a surface on one side of the wound, adjacent to the wound and
substantially parallel to an edge of the wound opening, while adhering
said base to said surface;unfolding the bridging links from their storage
position in which the bridging links are folded back over said
base;applying the bridging links across the opening of the wound to an
opposite side of the wound;adjusting the positions of the bridging links
in order to close the wound, substantially having the opening of the
wound crossed by said adhesive-free flexible means only; andadhering said
bridging links to a surface on the opposite side of the wound.

68. A method for closing an open wound using a device comprised of a base
having adhesive thereon, a plurality of bridging links having adhesive on
a portion thereof, and adhesive-free flexible means for linking the
bridging links to the base, the method comprising:separating said base of
the device into at least a first and a second lengths, said first and
second lengths having first and second sets of bridging links
respectively;applying said first length of said base onto a surface on
one side of the wound, adjacent to the wound and substantially parallel
to an edge of the wound opening, while adhering said base to the
surface;applying said second length of said base onto a surface on an
opposite side of the wound, adjacent to the wound and substantially
parallel to an edge of the wound opening, while adhering said base means
to the surface;unfolding said bridging means from their storage position
in which they are folded back over said base;applying said bridging links
across the opening of the wound while directing successive bridging links
from said first set into spaces between successive bridging links from
said second set;adjusting the positions of said bridging links as to
close the wound, substantially having the opening of the wound crossed by
said adhesive-free flexible means only; andadhering said first set of
bridging links to said second length of said base and said second set of
bridging links to said first length of said base.

69. The method of claim 67 further comprising removing any protective
means for covering said base of the device.

70. The method of claim 68 further comprising removing any protective
means for covering said base of the

71. The method of claim 68 further comprising removing any protective
means for covering said bridging links.

72. The method of claim 71 further comprising guiding the method by
utilizing any user guiding means visible on any base covering protective
means and any bridging links covering protective means.

[0003]The disclosure of this application relates to a method and device
for closing wounds or incisions without the use of invasive surgical
procedures.

[0004]2. Background

[0005]The most common methods for closing wounds caused by lacerations or
surgical incisions are suturing and stapling. Both of these procedures
are skin invasive, which can traumatize and compromise the integrity of
the wound. They increase the possibility of infection, expose the
surgeon, as well as the patient to blood borne disease, leave behind scar
tracks and require a follow-up visit for suture or staple removal.

[0006]As is well known, a cut that invades deeply into the tissue of the
skin generally requires a mechanism for drawing the sides of a wound
together to promote healing and to reduce the formation of scar tissue.
Surgeons have become skilled in the various techniques of suturing to
minimize the resulting blemish that occurs during the healing process.
These methods have always generated issues of sterilization and the very
nature of suturing requires a threshold of dexterity that escapes many
care providers. This is particularly true in emergency situations, which
call for immediate treatment to secure the wound for transport or until
such time as proper surgery is available. Suturing, even by a skilled
surgeon, punctures and stresses skin tissue causing scaring. It is well
recognized that a sutureless wound closure would be a great benefit in
many situations.

[0007]Beginning early in the 20th century, attempts were made to provide
non-invasive closures. An early example of this is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 1,074,413 (1913), which teaches the use of a pair of strips of fabric
having adhesive backing. The strips of fabric are applied in parallel on
either side of the wound and are constructed with threads extending
transversely to bridge the wound. A compressive force is applied across
the wound by tying opposing ends of the transverse threads of adjacent
strips. In order to maintain the threads in an orderly fashion prior to
use, another strip of fabric is attached to the distal ends of the
threads to secure the thread ends in parallel for packaging and applying
the closure. In one embodiment the threads are woven into both of the
strips and then cut after placement of the strips on either side of the
wound.

[0008]Another early device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,230,444 (1917).
This is a woven fabric adhesive element having a gap intermittently
formed in the length of the strip. The gap is formed in the weaving
process by omitting weft strands (parallel to the length of the strip) in
the gap and reducing the number of warp threads (transverse to the length
of the strip) in the gap. A limited number of warp threads, therefore,
bridge the gap. An advantage of this device is that it may be constructed
in continuous lengths and packaged in a roll for convenient storage. A
disadvantage is that the ability to apply a cross-wound force would be
limited.

[0009]A more sophisticated approach is described in the reference Flynn,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,196,296 (1940), in which a closure is designed for the
express purpose of eliminating suturing. This device illustrates an early
step in a trend towards interlocking multiple element devices. Dual
adhesive strips are connected to a base adhesive element and to each
other by threads woven through eyelets in the base element. The base
element is applied to one side of the wound edge and one of the adhesive
strips is applied to the other side. A cross wound force can be applied
and held by drawing the threads through the eyes and pulling the
remaining pair of adhesive strips away from the wound and attaching them
to the skin beyond the associated counter part. The construction and
assembly of this device is necessarily complex. It employs dual adhesive
strips, i.e., the base strip and one of the adhesive strips applied in
parallel on either side of the wound, but uses a third adhesive strip to
generate and maintain the wound closing force.

[0010]U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,731 (1984) describes a suture-less wound closure
which is similar to that shown in the above cited '413 patent. In this
patent the distal ends of the bridging threads of one adhesive strip are
interconnected by a further pulling strip which allows the bridging
threads to be manipulated in concert. This configuration requires that
the bridging threads or filaments of each of the adhesive strips be
interlaced to enable the pulling strips to be pulled across the wound and
secured. Dual adhesive strips are constructed with bridging filaments
interlaced and attached to a pulling strip also having adhesive. The
adhesive strips are applied on either side of the wound and are drawn
together by grasping the pulling strips and thereby drawing the edges of
the wound together. The closure is secured by adhering the pulling strip
to the skin on the outer side of the opposing adhesive strip. Opposing
forces can be applied simultaneously to each of the adhesive strips at
the wound edge to close the wound.

[0011]The suture-less closure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,970 (1993) operates
similarly to the closure of the '731 patent. It is however, formed of a
single adhesive element which is placed over the wound. Centrally located
over the wound opening, there are constructed dual sets of separated
elongated extensions. The distal ends of each set of extensions are
attached by a laterally extending tab portion. By manipulating the tabs,
each set of extensions may be independently manipulated to allow the
wound edges to be pulled together or otherwise advantageously moved. The
closure is secured by adhering the tabs to adhesive pads on the exposed
surface of the adhesive element.

[0012]An interlocked assembly of adhesive pads are assembled in the system
of U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,010 (1996) to be operated in a manner similar to
the '731 patent discussed above. First and second pads are adapted for
application to the skin on either side of the wound. A third and fourth
pad are adapted to adhere to the upper side of the first and second pads
respectively. The third pad is attached by bridging filaments to the
first pad and may be applied to the upper side of the second pad and the
fourth pad is attached by bridging filaments to the second pad and may be
applied to the upper side of the first pad.

[0013]In the bandage of U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,564 (2001), a two component
interlocked system is devised which operates similarly to the system of
the '010 patent. First and second adhesive strips are constructed with
elongated connectors extending transverse to bridge the wound. The
connectors are in turn interconnected by a pulling element. The adhesive
strips, connectors, and pulling elements are interlaced so the connectors
of one adhesive strip extend over the outer surface of the opposing
adhesive strip. Similarly to the assembly discussed above opposing forces
maybe applied to draw each of the adhesive strips toward each other and
thereby close the wound.

[0014]All of the above bandage configurations, in particular the
interlocked dual element style, appear to be difficult to manufacture and
to use. The manipulation of a loose assembly of multiple parts in an
emergency and possibly life-threatening situation is a challenging
undertaking. It is a purpose of this invention to provide a suture-less
wound closure which is more easily manufactured and packaged. It is
another purpose of this invention to provide a wound closure which is
easy to unpackage and apply.

[0015]The above cited prior art is consistent in several respects, namely,
that two adhesive strips need to be provided for application to either
side of the wound and that a mechanism is needed to apply forces to each
of the adhesive strips to draw them together to close the wound. The
prior art seems to solve this need by proposing multiple interlaced
parts.

[0016]It is a purpose of this invention to construct a suture-less wound
closing device in one piece that can be used on both sides of a wound
without the need for interlacing the parts during manufacture. It is a
purpose of this invention to provide a single element wound closure that
does not require suturing, stapling or gluing.

[0017]A simple one piece closure is historically represented by the
STERI-STRIP® adhesive strip available from 3M Corporation or
butterfly shaped adhesive strips both of which are used to bridge the
wound. These configurations may be used singly, in pairs, or multiple
units to apply a closing force to the wound. A more complex version of
such wound closures is shown in U.S. Patent Application, Pub. No.
2002/0099315, which was published Jul. 25, 2002. A substantially more
complex version of this type of closure is described in U.S. Pat.. No.
6,293,281 (2001).

[0018]A purpose of this invention is to simplify, improve upon, and
facilitate the customization capability of these various adhesive strips,
wound closure devices and methods. A purpose is to provide a simplified
elemental device capable of applying a series of adhesive bandage strips
that can be used to close wounds and can be adapted to a variety of
surgical needs, incision sizes, and types of wounds. It is a further
purpose of this invention to provide a closure that does not require any
particular dexterity, skill, or knowledge and is reasonable in cost so
that it can be used by anyone.

[0019]In the course of describing this invention below, the bottom of the
closing device of this invention will refer to the surface that is
intended to engage the skin and the upper side or top will refer to the
side of a component that is facing away from the skin after application.
Directions will be indicated according to the position of the wound being
treated, for example, transverse shall refer to directions across the
wound. The inner edge of the closing device shall refer to the side which
is intended to be adjacent to the wound lip and the outer edge shall
refer to the side of the device that is intended to be away from the
wound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020]The main element of this invention comprises an elongated flexible
base strip having its bottom surface coated with an adhesive material
suitable for adherence to skin. The base strip is constructed with
bridging links which are spaced along the inner edge of the base strip
and extend outward therefrom. The inner edge of the base strip, from
which the links extend, is intended to be aligned with a lip of the wound
being treated. Each of the bridging links has an adhesive coated section
displaced from the inner edge. In the packaged or stored position, prior
to engagement, the bridging links are folded over the upper surface of
the adhesive strip about a hinge that is at the joint of the bridging
link to the base strip. The base strip may be of an extended length so
that it might be customized to size and shape of the wound.

[0021]In order to package the closure device of this invention, protective
tapes may be positioned over exposed adhesive material to preserve the
adhesive characteristics and avoid undesirable sticking to packaging
materials surgical gloves, and other non-designated areas surrounding the
wound. To facilitate positioning of the closure device, the protective
tape covering the bottom surface may be constructed to expose a region of
the adhesive which is immediately adjacent to the inner edge. This inner
edge region of adhesive permits the practitioner to apply the base strip
without fully engaging the entire adhesive area. The inner edge of the
base strip may then be adjusted into alignment with the edge of the
wound. After alignment with the wound, the remaining protective tape is
removed and the entire base strip is secured adjacent to the wound.

[0022]In the stored position the adhesive sections of the bridging links
will be exposed on the top surface of the links. A protective tape is
applied to cover these adhesive sections.

[0023]In operation the wound will be examined and two substantially equal
lengths of the base strip will be cut, torn, or separated from the
packaged closure device. In many instances, the contour of the wound will
need to be manipulated to form a substantially straight lip to facilitate
alignment of the inner edge of the base strip. The inner edge of each
length of the base strip is positioned on opposite sides of the wound.
The base strip is adjusted to insure that the bridging links on one side
of the wound are displaced from the bridging links on the other. To close
the wound the bridging links are manually pivoted about a hinge from
their stored position and pulled transverse to the wound lip to close the
wound. The closing force is maintained by engaging the adhesive section
of the bridging links to the upper surface of the opposite length of base
strip across the wound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]The invention will be described in more detail below with reference
to the attached drawings in which:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure device of this invention
from the bottom with a first embodiment of protective tapes exploded;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a closure device of this invention
from the top, with a second embodiment of protective tapes exploded;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a closure device of this invention
from the top, with a third embodiment of protective tapes exploded;

[0028]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closure device of this invention
from the top, with a forth embodiment of protective tapes exploded;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a closure device of this invention
from the top, with aligned lengths of base strips applied to a wound;

[0030]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a closure device of this invention
from the top, with some of the bridging links engaged;

[0031]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a closure device of this invention
from the top, in the completely engaged condition;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
closure device of this invention from the top;

[0033]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
closure device of this invention from the top with aligned lengths of the
base strip applied to the wound;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
closure device of this invention from the top in a fully engaged
condition;

[0035]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
invention with the engaging adhesive section resident on both the base
strip and the bridging links;

[0036]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
invention with the adhesive section for engaging the bridging links only
resident on the base strip;

[0037]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10
with the engaging adhesive resident on both the base strip and the
bridging links; and

[0038]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10
with the engaging adhesive on the base strip only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039]The invention of this application involves a single component wound
closure which is easy to manufacture and simple to use. It is useable to
reliably close a wide variety of wound openings, large and small. It is
designed for ease of use in any environment, whether it is a field
emergency or an in hospital surgical procedure. It employs the basic
concept of providing a single component surgical strip which can be used
on both sides of the wound and avoids the difficulties of complex
interlaced multiple component bandages.

[0040]As shown in FIGS. 1-8, an elongated flexible base strip 1 forms the
main element of this invention and is constructed having its bottom
surface 2 coated with an adhesive material 3 suitable for adherence to
skin 4 (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 2, base strip 1 is constructed with
multiple bridging links 5 that extend generally transverse to the base
strip 1. The links 5 are spaced along the inner edge 6 of the base strip
1 and extend outward therefrom. The inner edge 6 of the base strip 1,
from which the links 5 extend, is intended to be aligned with a lip 7 of
the wound 8 being treated, as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the bridging links
5 has an adhesive coated section 9, on its bottom (engaging) surface 18,
displaced from the inner edge 6.

[0041]In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, an
additional adhesive coated section 30 (130 in FIG. 13) is coated on both
the top surface 12 of the base strip 1 (112 in FIG. 13) and the engaging
surface 18 (118 in FIG. 13) of the bridging links 5 (105 in FIG. 13).

[0042]In another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the
adhesive coated section 9 is absent from bridging links 5 and an adhesive
section 30 (130 in FIG. 14) is applied to top surface 12 (112 in FIG. 14)
of base strip 1. Adhesive sections 30 (130) receive the engaging surface
18 (118 in FIG. 14) of each bridging link 5 (105) and hold the links 5
(105) securely in their bridging position.

[0043]The base strip 1 and its associated bridging links 5 may be
constructed by stamping from a single elongated sheet of plastic
material. Alternatively molding or extruding processes may be
advantageously used. In some circumstances, it may be advantageous to
stiffen the bridging links to facilitate handling. The bridging links may
be made more rigid by laying up a second or third layer of plastic sheet
material or by otherwise thickening the plastic material in the area of
the bridging links 5, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0044]In the packaged or stored position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
bridging links 5 are folded over the upper surface 12 of the adhesive
base strip 1 about a hinge 10 that is at the joint of the bridging links
and base strip 1. Hinge 10 may be a hinge region formed to provide
increased flexibility where bridging links 5 are joined to the base
strip. As shown, no adhesive is applied to the hinge region.

[0045]As shown in FIG. 6, a small amount of adhesive 11 can be used on the
upper surface 12 of the base strip 1 to engage each of the folded
bridging links 5 and releasably hold them in a stored position, see FIGS.
1-4. The base strip 1 may be of an extended length so that it might be
cut, torn, or otherwise separated to the desired size, depending on the
wound. It could also be packaged in a rolled configuration 13 as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 and separated as needed.

[0046]Folding the bridging links 5 provides an uncluttered operating edge
with which to properly align base strip 1 with the wound lip 7.

[0047]In order to package the closure device of this invention, protective
tapes, such as 14, 15, and 16 shown in FIG. 1, may be positioned over
exposed adhesive materials 3 and 9. Protective tapes 14, 15 and 16 act to
preserve the adhesive characteristics while helping to avoid undesirable,
sticking to packaging materials and other areas surrounding the wound.

[0048]To facilitate positioning of the closure device, protective tape
covering the bottom surface 3 may be constructed in two parts a main part
14 and an edge part 15. The edge part 15 of the protective tape is
aligned with the inner edge 6 of the base strip 1 and is of limited
width. This allows the initial exposure of a limited edge adhesive
surface 19. This in turn allows the base strip 1 to be aligned with the
wound 8 and adjusted prior to adhering the entire base strip 1 adjacent
to the wound 8.

[0049]In the stored position, the adhesive sections 9 of the bridging
links 5 will be exposed as shown in FIGS. 1-4. A protective tape 16 is
applied to cover the adhesive sections 9. To assist the user in applying
the closure, each of the tape elements may be color coded or otherwise
identified to indicate the order of removal. For example: in the removal
of the parts 14 and 15 of the bottom protective tape, and the top
protective tape 16, different colors or transparency tints may be used.
Alternatively, the parts may be numbered or otherwise labeled to indicate
the order of removal.

[0050]In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the protective
tape 14a is formed in one piece having a fold or perforated line 20
constructed a distance outward from the inner edge 6 and extending the
length of the edge 6. By partially removing the tape 14a up to the fold
line 20, the limited edge adhesive 19a may be exposed to accomplish the
same purpose as indicated above.

[0051]In another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, edge adhesive
19c is defined by limiting the width of tape 14c to leave the edge
adhesive 19c exposed. The edge adhesive is covered in this embodiment
only by the exterior packaging sheet 21. In the further alternative
embodiment of this invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the protective tapes 14
and 15 are eliminated and the exterior packaging sheet 21 provides the
necessary protection from exposure.

[0052]To complete the packaging of the closure device of this invention, a
tear away outer package, constructed of appropriate sheet material 21 is
used to provide an overall sterile wrap for the closure, as is well
known. In some situations wrap 21 can be used to protect exposed adhesive
sections, if no protective tapes are used. An overall wrap 21 surrounds
the closure device and is edge sealed to maintain sterile conditions.
When packaged in an extended length such as a roll, a variety of lengths
of base strip 1 may be precut and contained in sealed segments of wrap 21
or means may be provided to create an edge seal at the cut edge of a
packaged closure which is of continuous length.

[0053]A typical wound 8 caused by a laceration or surgical incision is
shown in FIG. 5 having a lip 7 at the edge of the gap 22. Before the
closure of this invention is applied, the wound 8 is examined to
determine the length L of wound 8. The base strip is then cut to a length
L+ which is slightly longer than wound 8. Two approximately equal lengths
1a and 1b of the base strip 1 are cut, torn or otherwise separated from
the packaged closure device, as for example roll 13. After removing the
outer wrap 21, edge protective tape 15 is removed to expose adhesive edge
19. In many instances the wound lip 7 will be curvilinear or otherwise of
irregular shape because of natural skin tension or the nature of the
injury. This may require manipulation of the skin surrounding the wound
to bring the lip 7 into a substantially straight form to accommodate the
straight edge 6 of base strip 1.

[0054]The inner edges 6a and 6b of each length of the base strips 1a and
1b are positioned adjacent the lip 7 of the wound 8. Base strips 1a and
1b are adjusted to insure that the bridging links 5a on one side of the
wound 8 are displaced from the bridging links 5b on the other side, as
shown by arrows x and y in FIG. 5. At this point the remaining part 14 of
protective tape is removed and the base strips 1a and 1b are secured to
the skin in place adjacent to the wound. Protective tape 16 may then be
removed to expose adhesive sections 9.

[0055]As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, to close the gap 22 of wound 8, the
bridging links 5a and 5b are manually pivoted from their stored position
and pulled transverse to the wound lip 7.

[0056]By simultaneously exerting a force F on pairs of adjacent bridging
links 5a and 5b from opposing sides of the wound, the base strips 1a and
1b and the wound lip 7 will be drawn together to close gap 22, as shown
in FIG. 6. The space G between the inner edges 6a and 6b of the lengths
1a and 1b, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is reduced during this process. It is
advantageous to adjust the position of the operating edges 6 so that a
small separation G' remains after the wound is closed. This will leave
room for the emission of exudates from the wound, while also providing
access for the delivery of medication. The closing force is maintained by
engaging the adhesive section 9 of the bridging links 5a and 5b to the
upper surface 12 of the opposite length of base strip 1 across the wound
8. The bridging links 5a and 5b are thus applied until the wound is
closed and secure, as shown in FIG. 7. To provide an uncluttered overall
wound dressing, the excess portions of bridging links 5 may be trimmed by
cutting or tearing along perforations 31 which may be constructed in each
link.

[0057]In this manner a simple closure is constructed which is easier to
manufacture and use than the multiple component devices of the prior art.

[0058]To facilitate the closure of small wounds or partial areas of larger
wounds, the adhesive strip may, in the alternative, be constructed as
shown in FIGS. 8-10. In this embodiment the components are arranged
generally as described before. An elongated adhesive base strip 101 is
formed having multiple bridging links 105. The bottom 102 is coated with
an adhesive material. Adhesive sections 109 are applied to the top
surface 118 of bridging link 105. The base strip 101 may be sealed in
sterile packages of various lengths, in rolled configurations 113, or
other appropriate means.

[0059]To facilitate use of the strips in short units, the bridging links
105 are spaced differently. The base strip 101 is divided, by markings
and/or perforated lines 140, into operational units 141 and 142. The
units 141 and 142 are marked off over the entire length of base strip
101. A pair 143 of links 105 is positioned together with a normal spacing
144 within the first unit 141. The pair 143 is centered within the unit
141. A single link 105 is then positioned in the center of the adjacent
unit 142. This arrangement is alternated over the length of the base
strip 101. To use this alternative embodiment, the base strip 101 is cut
or separated to obtain one operational unit 141, having a pair 143 of
bridging links 105, and one operational unit 142, having a single
bridging link 105. Operational units 141 and 142 are placed on opposite
sides of wound 108, as shown in FIG. 9. By aligning the units 141 and
142, the bridging links 105 can be applied without interference, as shown
in the secured closure in FIG. 9.

[0060]It should be understood that the foregoing description is only
illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can
be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the
invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all
such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the
scope of the appended claims.

Patent applications in class Material placed on opposed sides of incision or wound

Patent applications in all subclasses Material placed on opposed sides of incision or wound